Types Of Aid-Applicaion Procedures

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for all Federally–funded Financial Aid programs and can be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

**Please make sure that you wait until the IRS accepts your tax return and those of your parents for Dependent students prior to completing the FAFSA and that you use the IRS Transfer Tool to populate the tax information on your FAFSA. If you do not use the transfer tool, you will be selected for Verification and will have to acquire tax transcripts from the IRS. We will not be able to accept a copy of your tax return.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal PELL Grant (PELL) is a federally funded Title IV Grant Program available to students who meet certain income guidelines of postsecondary education. The PELL Grant does not require repayment. It is not available to anyone who has received a bachelor's degree, owes a refund to any Title IV Aid Program, or is in default on a student loan.

The amount of the Pell Grant award will depend on the family contribution amount shown on the Student Aid Report, whether the student is full or part-time, the number of federal credit hours enrolled, the cost of attendance, and the size of federal appropriations. Students must reapply each fiscal year (prior to Fall Term of each year) by completing the renewal application or the FAFSA for the new year.

**Please make sure that you wait until the IRS accepts your tax return and those of your parents for Dependent students prior to completing the FAFSA and that you use the IRS Transfer Tool to populate the tax information on your FAFSA. If you do not use the transfer tool, you will be selected for Verification and will have to acquire tax transcripts from the IRS. We will not be able to accept a copy of your tax return.

Federal Direct Student Loans

The William D. Ford Director Loan Program provides financing to students to assist with school-related expenses. Loans are issued by the Federal Government and must be repaid following graduation or after students with draw from college.

A subsidized Federal Direct loan is a need-based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to receive is based on your financial need. The federal government pays the interest that accrues on a loan while you are in school, during your grace period after you leave school or graduate, and during eligible deferment periods.

An unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan is a non-need based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to borrow is not based on your financial need. If you receive an unsubsidized Direct Loan, you will be responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan from the date of disbursement forward.

Loan Eligibility Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;

You must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled at least half-time (six-hours) at a participating school in an eligible program leading to a degree;

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress in your course of study according to your school's standards and statutory requirements;

You must not be in default on an educational loan or owe a refund on an educational grant;

You must have a high school or G.E.D. diploma or pass an independently administered test, determined by your school, that demonstrates your ability to benefit from the program of study;

You must meet all of the other Federal Stafford Loan program eligibility requirements prescribed by law at the time your loan application is processed;

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Stafford Loan Limits

Academic Level

Dependent

Independent

Freshman

$5,500 (no more than $3,500 in subsidized)

$9,500 (no more than $3,500 in subsidized)

Sophomore

$6,500 (no more than $4,500 in subsidized)

$10,500 (no more than $4,500 in subsidized)

Aggregate Amount for Undergraduates:
$31,000 for dependent students (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
$57,500 for independent students (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
Eligibility for the Federal Stafford Loan Program is determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Work Study

This is a needs-based federal grant to help students fund educational expenses by providing work sites on campus. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a valid EFC (expected family contribution) issued by the Department of Education before being considered for this grant. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six hours). The Federal Work Study grant is not available to students who are in developmental studies classes and institutional accepted (IA00).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are based on financial need. Students must be undergraduates enrolled in an eligible program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate at an eligible college. Students must be enrolled at least one term to receive FSEOG. Students must meet citizenship requirements as required for all Title IV Programs, as well as all other eligibility listed in the Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook. Priority for supplemental grants will be given to students with the lowest EFC, the greatest need, and the highest cumulative grade point average. These students must also receive Pell and HOPE in the same term.

The Office of Financial Aid will use the SAR/ISIR to consider all eligible students for FSEOG. Checks will be cut and disbursed by the Business Office to eligible students.

Maximum FSEOG Award - The maximum FSEOG a student may receive per academic year at the College will depend on the availability of funds, but will not exceed $400 per semester for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters or $1200 per year.

HOPE Grant

This is a state grant funded by the Georgia lottery. The HOPE Grant covers a portion of tuition for students seeking diplomas and certificates. For technical colleges, there are high school graduation requirements. Recipients must be residents of Georgia for at least twelve (12) consecutive months and not be in default of a student loan.

HOPE Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Georgia lottery. The HOPE Scholarship covers a portion of tuition for students seeking a degree at a technical college or university. Effective Fall Semester 2011, the HOPE Scholarship does not cover fees or provide a book allowance. The student must be a 1993 or later high school graduate with a 3.0 GPA in a college preparatory track or a 3.2 GPA in a technical curriculum track to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. A nontraditional student may qualify for the HOPE scholarship after completing 30 semester hours in the diploma program and maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Grade point averages are recalculated at 30, 60, and 90 semester hours at which time the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain the HOPE Scholarship. The student must be Georgia resident and not be in default of a student loan. Also effective Fall Semester 2011, students who graduated from high school over seven years ago will not be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship unless they were previously awarded as of June 30, 2011.

Zell Miller Scholarship

A student who graduated high school with a 3.7 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale and with an SAT score of 1200 or an ACT score of 26, on a single administered test, is eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship. The Valedictorian or Salutatorian from a high school graduating class is considered automatically eligible, regardless of GPA/SAT/ACT. Starting Fall Semester 2011, current students will have to meet the GPA/SAT/ACT requirement from high school and have a least a 3.3 GPA at the 30, 60, or 90 semester hour check point of their college coursework.

Veteran Programs

Southeastern Technical College is approved for veteran’s training under various programs. These programs are briefly described in the following paragraph. Check with the Financial Aid office prior to enrolling in a course to assure that a particular course meets current approval for VA benefits. Students must apply through the VA to determine eligibility and must turn in a Certificate of Eligibility or a copy of the veterans DD214 to be certified.

Chapter 30: Active duty educational assistance for veterans with service prior to September 11, 2001